Romney to 'Interrupters': 'Take a Hike'

Rips 'failed leader' Gingrich
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 23, 2012 7:32 AM CST
Mitt Romney Ridicules Newt Gingrich, Protesters in Florida
Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, campaigns at Allstar Building Materials in Ormond Beach, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Speaking at a rally in Florida yesterday, Mitt Romney had some harsh words for opponents ranging from Newt Gingrich to a group of protesters heckling him. Romney slammed Gingrich as a "failed leader," notes the Los Angeles Times. "I don’t know whether you knew that—he actually resigned after four years, in disgrace," Romney said, in what Politico calls his "longest sustained critique" of Gingrich. "His fellow Republicans—88% of his Republicans—voted to reprimand Speaker Gingrich," the former governor added.

"He talks about great bold movements and ideas," Romney said. "Well, what’s he been doing for 15 years? He’s been working as a lobbyist and selling influence around Washington." He called once again for Gingrich to release records of his work at Freddie Mac, and referenced Gingrich's debate performances: "We’re not choosing a talk show host, all right? We’re choosing a leader." When protesters began chanting "we are the people," Romney ridiculed them, too: "Actually, these are the people," he said. "We believe in the right to speech. And you believe in interrupting. Take a hike.” Meanwhile, he's taking his case to the airwaves. (More Mitt Romney stories.)

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